If you already purchased Darwin Project, you’ll be compensated via a Founder’s Pack. The Founder’s Pack includes several outfits, including full Montreal Hockey gear for both male and female characters as well as ten Fan Gift loot boxes that include more cosmetic items.

Darwin Project is a smaller scale Battle Royale PvP game. It pits 10 players in a Hunger Games–like arena, with an 11th player dropping in as the Director. The Director is able to manipulate the environment as well as bestow buffs and drop goodies.

On both PC and Xbox, Scavengers Studio is celebrating the World Cup with soccer-themed skins. They can be found in the Fan Gift loot boxes, or puchsed directly in the Item Shop. The soccer sportswear will be available until July 12.

Scavengers Studio is aiming to keep the PC and Xbox versions updated simultaneously, but PC is typically easier and faster to patch and update.

Fortnite may have become the gold standard of Battle Royale as a free-to-play title with loot boxes. The smaller, 10-person battle arena Darwin Project is following suit.

Indie Canadian studio Scavengers Studio has officially shifted Darwin Project from a standard pay-once model into free-to-play, supported by cosmetic items. Darwin Project is available on PC (Steam), as well as Xbox One. Xbox version will become free to play sometime later this week.

“We’ve said from the start that we’re committed to creating a fresh and exciting experience for Darwin Project players and viewers. With features like the Show Director who serves as a master of ceremonies, Spectator Interactions that let viewers directly interact with streams, and an emphasis on tracking that ensures players are always within arm’s reach of a tense confrontation, we still believe Darwin Project offers a quality experience unlike any other battle royale game out there.

“We’ve been fortunate to have a core community of players join us at a very early stage, with many still supporting us during Early Access, and the last thing we want to do is let those passionate players down.

“Lately, members of our community have reported longer queue times and difficulty finding matches in lesser populated servers. To bring in new players and maintain a level of activity that ensures players are able to get the most of out Darwin Project, we’ve decided to make it more accessible by removing the price tag.

“We’re aware that it’s a big change, and we want to reiterate that we’re remaining true to Darwin Project’s vision as we move forward.”

Players who previously purchased Darwin Project will receive the Founder’s Pack, containing a bunch of unique loot, on April 24. Those who would rather get a refund will have to go through Steam. Due to the shift in payment model, Steam is waiving the normal two-week time restriction on refunds.

Darwin Project launched earlier this year on March 9 via Steam Early Access and Xbox Games Preview. It has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

Indie Canadian developer Scavengers Studio has officially added two player co-op to their Battle Royale survival game, Darwin Project. Darwin Project is still in Early Access on Steam and Xbox Games Preview. Duo Mode has been added to PC, but still forthcoming on Xbox.

Darwin Project has seen a number of updates since its Early Access launch last month. Most recently is skill-based matchmaking, which should hopefully make for higher quality matches and not pit newbies against veterans.

“Players just starting out in the arena should still have a fighting chance, especially on Steam where some inmates have been practicing since the Closed Alpha days and have reached brutal levels of skill,” writes Simon Darveau, creative director, in a blog post. “It’s important for us that Darwin Project be as welcoming as possible, and to motivate new players to continue improving and refining their techniques, we want to avoid placing them in the same match as highly experienced players when possible.”

The update is live on both PC and Xbox, and Scavengers Studio explains it’s an algorithm system that will improve over time.

The special egg hunt Easter event is also going on this week, ending Friday, April 6. Players can find decorated eggs scattered around the arena. Collect enough and they can unlock frighteningly garish egg and rabbit-themed hats.

Darwin Project launched in March via Steam Early Access and Xbox Game Preview. It features a 10-person arena, with a Show Director helping or hindering players, and unique live-streaming integration. It’s due to officially launch later this year.

Scavengers Studio has announced the Early Access release date for Darwin Project: March 9. It will be available via Steam Early Access and Xbox Games Preview. The price was also revealed: $14.99.

March 9 will be the first time Darwin Project will be playable on the Xbox One. All the familiar features present in the PC betas will be available to Xbox players, including all the latest changes and updates that arrived in the most recent open beta.

Spectator Interactions were a big hit during the beta last weekend. They allow for viewers on Twitch and Mixer to vote on choices and influence the Show Director. The Show Director ultimately decides whom to bestow buffs upon and which zones to nuke, creating a dynamic Battle Royale battlefield.

In addition to the Show Interactions, the latest 1.7 patch added a rating system for Show Directors, private matches, map fixes, and general gameplay improvements.

Darwin Project will be available via Steam Early Access and Xbox Games Preview on March 9. It has not yet been rated but should fall somewhere around T for Teen, not including the colorful interactions provided by online multiplayer.

The Hunger Games-like Darwin Project is hosting its second, and final, open beta this weekend on PC. To jump in simply download the game from Steam. The beta ends Monday, February 26 at 9 am Pacific/12 pm Eastern.

Over 80,000 beta testers played the first open beta earlier this year, including me. Canadian developer Scavengers Studio has been implementing feedback with their latest 1.7 patch. Highlights include Twitch spectator interactions, password-protected private matches, and a number of changes and improvements to the Show Director role.

In Darwin Project, 10 players compete in a free-for-all match in a dangerous arena. It’s mini-Battle Royale, with the last player alive crowned the winner. An eleventh player takes on the role of the Show Director, with the ability to spawn useful items, bestow helpful buffs, and rain down terror on the competing players.

New 1.7 changes include a rating system that directly affects the Show Director’s powers to help curb abusive Show Directors or those who show too much favoritism to friends.

The game has been a big hit thanks to its user interaction with streaming. The Twitch Spectator Interactions are a new feature, previously only available on Mixer. A livestreaming Show Director can allow their viewers to vote on what to do, and whom to do it to. It’s the Hunger Games, but with less revolution and romance.

Darwin Project is due to hit Steam Early Access and Xbox Game Preview within the coming months. The final open beta ends Monday, February 26 at 9 am Pacific/12 pm Eastern.